Wednesday 29 August 2012

Early Retirement

Early retirement ..... I can't believe that is the thing I am fast coming up on. My husband Kevin takes early retirement from the Fire Service in November this year. He has been working full time since he was 16 and at times working all hours to provide a good home. He has always given us the best he could and worked all hours to do that.

He has had a long career in the Fire Service and I think he is ready to sit back and watch the grass grow.
So we are going into a new part of life and I think we will need to adjust to that. I will have to get used to losing my three nights a week that I have the house, television and bed to myself lol.
I hope we can enjoy our life without worry of mortgage and bringing up our family. I always think that I would still live life the same, if I could do it over and have no regrets about having a family young.
Now both my children are grown and we are still fairly young!!

So no set in stone plans as yet. We have not had a holiday for a long time so that would be nice. I would love to visit my nephew and his family in Canada and my friend Janie. Then to move on to America which I love and visit my many friends like April and Darian.

Kevin and me on our wedding day 1979
Kevin and I today
So watch this space as I enter a new exciting life and maybe lots of blog post to reflect that.

Friday 24 August 2012

Scooby-Doo spooky games Review

How lucky am I to be asked to review Scooby-doo spooky games. I have very fond memories of dear old scooby from my childhood, so I was really excited to see it again.
I asked a young friend who is 10 if they would like to see it also and we waited for it to arrive.
My lovely friends at Warner Bros also sent some fun things to set up games for ourselves. Now I am a little old to jump up the garden in a sack, but my younger friends (and some older ones!!) thought it was great fun. Did think this was a fab idea to encourage kids to be more active in general.

So the DVD was a new 23 minute episode with a spooky theme. Set with a backdrop London the gang get set to to compete. Then a 1,000 year old statue comes to life and no one knows if the games with be able to continue.
To top that off we even had a guest appearance of Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble!

A great fun DVD that younger viewers will enjoy over and over. Watch it, then arrange your own games in the garden a great fun afternoon.



This is available to buy in lots of places but also on Amazon at £4.99

Please note all opinion's are my own and I was not paid for this review only receiving the product.

Thursday 23 August 2012

Last Jane Plan Review

Last Jane Plan review today and it was the big one week weigh in.
Well good news I lost four pounds which considering my mobility is poor, I think that is rather good.
So I have to say it was a positive thing to do. Jane or her staff telephone on day one and also today on day seven, to make sure you are ok and also to find out if you are having any problems. Jane is very easy to speak to and very helpful, I felt that I could ask her anything at all.

The food on the whole is yummy and my favourite was the rice and beans pots, total lovely. I was not so keen on the soup but that's more because I am not really a soup person. I also found the soups not so filling . I did make the mistake of eating all my rice pots everyday, I think it would be better to mix them up. So have the soup for lunch one day and the pots another. All the work is taking out for you, and all you have to do is enjoy the food. It is so simple to cook and if you are short on time, you would love the ease of the meals.
If you are looking for a lovely simple and easy plan to follow with all the planning done for you give the Jane Plan a chance.

Please note I was not paid for this review only receiving the products to try.

www.janeplan.com

Sunday 19 August 2012

The Vampire Diaries Review

The Vampires Diaries Review is the topic for today. I was given the chance to watch this season one of this show, which I have to admit is new to me.
So I think these days we seem to have a vampire craze going on! I thought that this show maybe be the same as Twilight, but I am happy to say its not.
It has a fab story line with interesting characters and twists turns.

With a great set of actors, with the main characters forming a great bond when together or apart, it has a spark which is fab to watch. The whole thing was so likable if I can say that! Every episode was an exciting ride.
I think there is not much more I can say except that don't judge on the name, give it a go . I am not normal a huge vampire follower, I really enjoyed ever episode.


http://youtu.be/Sy6CVZABLy4

Please note I was not paid for this review only receiving the product



Saturday 18 August 2012

2 day up date.... Jane plan

2 day up date of my Jane plan today. I know I am boring you to death but I thought you may be interested in my day to day progress. Well I am doing good! I would lie if I say its not been a bit hard. I had been overeating and too much sugar so going cold turkey so to speak was not easy.

I have to say the food is super easy to make, it would be great if you work and just want a quick easy meal when you get home. The best part is it tastes fantastic. Today I had a chickpea meal which was totally yummy.
I am amazed I have stuck to it, I even made 12 cup cakes today and frosted them and did not even lick once lol.
So onto day 3 and fingers crossed I'm excited to try another meal and see if its just as yummy.

www.janeplan.com

Wednesday 15 August 2012

Jane Plan update

Jane plan update for you as I promised. So it was all very exciting as my parcel arrived today from the Jane Plan. I was keen to open my very heavy box and see what delights were inside. Everything was well packed and many of the items were packed in nice white tissue paper.
The food also came with a very well written folder that laid everything out for you in detail. All your instructions and hints and tips for success were there and I enjoyed reading through.

I must say I am looking forward to having all the food there, and all worked out so there is no guess work. Best thing it looks yummy and I am really looking forward to getting started first thing.
I will let you know how I am doing after a few days so wish me luck.

www.janeplan.com


Monday 13 August 2012

Jane Plan Diet Review



Jane Plan Diet Review is the topic for the day. I am very lucky to be asked to try out this diet plan and I can't wait to get started. So I will start with the facts:

Jane Plan Info:
About Jane –
Jane Michell is a qualified nutritionist, with experience working at The Princess Grace Hospital and various weight loss clinics. She developed her love of food working at the BBC with household names such as Delia Smith and Rick Stein. Jane is known for her caring approach, non-judgemental attitude and her in-depth understanding of the issues faced by anyone wanting to lose weight.

About Jane Plan –
- How it works
At Jane Plan we create an individual weight loss plan exclusively designed for your needs and goals. Whether a client is looking to lose a stone before their wedding, or a few pounds before a holiday, we provide a diet containing the foods they love but that will allow them to lose the extra weight  - without compromising their lifestyle. Flexibility is essential - people often say they don’t have the time to diet, so we remove the stress of shopping, measuring and cooking and make sure all our meals are ready to eat in less than three minutes.
In the initial consultation with a nutritionist, we find out how much weight each client wants to lose, their reasons for doing so and a bit about their likes and dislikes and lifestyle. We then give them the option to either select their own meals from a menu or allow us to design a diet based on what they have told us.
Regardless of the plan’s length, whether it’s a week or three months, everybody receives a start-up phone call from Jane to explain how to follow their plan to optimise results and then a follow up phone call on a regular day of their choice to check how it’s going.
- The food
From salads to curries to casseroles, we offer a range of meals that are not only calorie and portion controlled, but taste delicious too. Our breakfasts are, where possible, made with local and organic ingredients, our lunches vary between soups and salads which can easily be transported and heated and our dinners are authentic and filling.




Jane Plan Full Menu:

BREAKFASTS:
Organic Gluten Free Muesli with goji berries and cranberries (WF) (DF) (V)
Organic Gluten free muesli (WF) (DF) (V)
Hazelnut Granola (WF) (DF) (V)
Walnut Granola (WF) (DF) (V)
Delux Muesli (DF) (V)
Pure Porridge Oats (WF) (DF) (V)

LUNCHES:
SOUPS -
Leek and Potato Soup (W/F) (V)
Broccoli and Cheese Soup (W/R) (V)
Tomato and Basil Soup (W/F ) (V) (D/F)
Mushroom Soup with porcini (W/F) (V) (D/F)
Carrot and Coriander Soup (W/F) (V)
Pea and Mint Soup (W/F) (V)
SALADS -
Three bean salad (W/F) (D/F) ( V)
Wholegrain salad(D/F) ( V)
Couscous salad(D/F) ( V)
Wild Salmon and vegetable salad(D/F) (W/F)
Tuna pasta salad (D/F)
Vegetable pasta salad (DF)
Tuna salsa salad (W/F) (D/F)
Moroccan spicy salmon salad(D/F)
French tuna salad(D/F)
Mediterranean tuna salad (D/F)

DINNERS:
Chilli Con Carne (W/F) D/F)
Beef and Mushroom Stroganoff (W/F)
Massaman  Beef Curry (W/F) (D/F)
Thai Chicken Curry with Coconut and Red Chillies (W/F) (D/F)
Chickpea and Cumin Cassoulet  (W/F) (V)
Chicken with Mascarpone and Tomatoes  (W/F)
Beef Ragu (W/F) (D/F)
Slow Cooked Lamb with Market Vegetables (W/F)
Chicken Tikka Masala (W/F) (D/F)
Three Bean Chilli  (W/F) (DF) (V)
Moroccan Chickpea(W/F) (DF) (V
Classic Mushroom Stroganoff (W/F) (V
Chicken Korma (W/F) (D/F)

The Italian Selection -
Classic Lasagna
Vegetable Lasagna (V)
Tuscan Chicken (DF)
Chicken Trentina with Mushrooms and Polenta (DF)
Chicken cooked in Rosemary with Potatoes  (DF)
Gnocchi Pomodore (DF) (V)
Fusilli Arrabiatta (DF) (V)
Fusilli Mediterranean (DF) (V)
Ricotta and Spinach Cannelloni (V)


The Indian Selection -
Chana Masala – Medium spicy chickpeas with fresh tomatoes, onions and peppers (D/F) (W/F) (V)
Matar Paneer -  Medium spicy dish of Indian cottage cheese and garden peas cooked with mild spices. (W/F) (V)
Aloo Saag – Mildly spicy potato and spinach with Indian spices (W/F) (V)
Vegetable Korma – Mildly spicy vegetables in a creamy sauce with nuts and Indian spices (W/F) (V)
Rajma Masala – Medium hot dish with kidney beans cooked in a tomato sauce. (W/F) (D/F) (V)
Cholle Masala - Mildly spicy chickpeas with onions, ginger, mango and pomegranate seeds  (D/F) (WF) (V)
Dilli Aloo – Medium spicy, marinated potato with tomatoes and ginger (D/F) (V)

SNACKS:
Low GI Oatcakes – ginger, fruit & spice, mixed berries  (W/F) (D/F) (V)
Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies (D/F) (V)
Mini Lemon cookies (D/F) (V)
Savoury oatcakes – cheese, chilli or onion (W/F) (D/F) (V)
Gluten Free cookies (ask your consultant about our selection)

**The majority of our wheat free dishes are also gluten free. Let us know during your Consultation if you require a gluten free diet.

I think this all sound yum and I must say I was impressed by the selection of foods.
I started my diet by having a lovely phone call with Jane. She is a very nice lady and she asked me lots of questions about my eating habits and what I wanted out of the diet. She then went on the tell me what to expect and that I would get further phone calls as I went along.
So Tuesday is D day and I must say I'm very excited to get my parcel. I plan on keeping you posted when it arrives, so I can tell you all about it, and the food. I can say what it tastes like and so on.  Then I will post once I am half way through the week , then at the end of week one.

So wish me luck and if you want to check it out for yourself go to

www.janeplan.com

Please note I have not been given a fee for this review just a sample of the product.

Friday 10 August 2012

Needful Things by Stephen King

Needful Things by Stephen King is a old but still great book I have just read as I am taking part in the summer of reading  challenge, by Tots 100.

Leland Gaunt arrives in the small town of Castle Rock and opens a store in the main street. The store is called needful things and the whole town is very curious to its contents.
People soon start to visit and find that the prices are very low which is odd considering the things are often rare.
The town folk soon find that within the store is always an item that is something that he or she, has dreamt of or desired. It could be a rare baseball card, a china figure or a healing necklace.
All Gaunt asks for is a small payment but also a tiny "deed" . This is in the form of what seems like a very innocent prank, which must be played on another person from the town.

Very soon these simple little pranks get out of control and the town starts to battle within itself.
The only person that thinks there is anything wrong is Sheriff Alan pangborn, he starts to think that Gaunt is behind the towns folks strange and increasingly violent behaviour.

This was an excellent novel which was full of interesting and detailed character's. Great plot keeping you in suspense until the last page. Great ending with everything from weird to funny and back again.
This novel also really makes you think about what would you sacrifice for you to get what you want! Would it be worth it?

http://www.tots100.co.uk/category/book-club/

http://www.tesco.com/direct/needful-things


Sunday 5 August 2012

RSPCA - packing a higher welfare picnic


RSPCA -packing a higher welfare picnic is my favourite subject today. Recently I decided to take the challenge of helping a charity via my blog.
I am just a regular blogger, and I thought it would be nice if I could help a charity.
I'm hoping to write about all kinds of subjects, but today it is the RSPCA .

This charity is close to my heart as I am a huge animal lover. The idea of a higher welfare picnic and freedom foods is new to me.
So some facts:-
Freedom food is the RSPCA'S farm assurance and food labelling scheme. It is the only  UK farm assurance scheme to focus solely on improving the welfare, of farm animals (www.rspca.org.uk)

The RSPCA think that all animals, need and deserve a healthy happy life, even if they reared for food.
They should be given a place that keeps them well. Plenty of water, food and clean conditions. Also plenty of space to run around.
Today more and more people are looking for good food with higher welfare credentials. You can find freedom food labelled items in most major supermarkets such as Morrisons, waitrose, tesco and sainsburys.
You can also find out much more about freedom foods at the RSPCA web site. www.rspca.org.uk/freedomfood. So leading on from this is packing a higher welfare picnic.
Ok I know you all will be shouting  at me about our summer! However, I am sure we will get some nice days to enjoy a picnic. And if all fails do what I used to do when my children were little.
If we couldn't   get out I would put a blanket in the living room  and we would have our food there on the floor ! They would think it such fun to have a picnic in the house.
I don't think you have to pack an expensive picnic . The RSPCA tells us to "keep it simple and animal  friendly "!
More and more people are making their own picnics. In fact the nations favourite picnic foods are, cold meats, sausage rolls, pork pies, scotch eggs, mini sausages, quiche Lorraine and Cornish pasties.
So the RSCPA have got together with supermarkets to help them give higher welfare party and picnic food.
If its hard for you to find freedom foods, even changing to free range, organic and outdoor bred would help. Did you know "900 million animals are farmed for meat in the UK every year" (RSCPA)
We as shoppers can do our bit to help, even these days when money is tight. We can could try to switch to freedom foods or free range. I know I shall try myself this week. So if you go to the RSPCA web site there are loads of fab recipes by Richard Johnson TV presenter and food writer.
I thought I would try the bacon and cheese quiche this week as it looks yummy.


For loads more fantastic recieps and information go to
http:www.rspca.org.uk/freedomfood

Saturday 4 August 2012

Explaining Menopause Weight Gain.

Today I am pleased to have a great guest post, hope you find it as interesting as I did.

Explaining Menopause Weight Gain

Why Do We Gain During Menopause?

If you’re close to reaching menopause, it is entirely natural to feel a bit concerned about the changes you might notice in your body. Maybe you’re beginning to notice some weight gain, along with other menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings and anxiety that often come with the change. What many women don’t know is that most weight gain happens during perimenopause – which is the period of time prior to menopause when your body begins to experience hormonal changes. As you age, your body composition changes because your lean muscle mass decreases. This results in a slower resting metabolism. Your estrogen levels decrease as well, which actually increases insulin and cortisol levels while your thyroid activity decreases. Your metabolism slows down even further as a result of these changes. As all these chemical changes are taking place may change pace, making it more difficult to perform as you used to. This means that energy is not as readily accessible during exercise as it previously was, and the amount of time you spend exercising may need to be increased to see the same results that came with exercise previously. Many women who never had a problem with their weight in the past suddenly find themselves in a struggle they never thought that they would have to fight.

To further increase the challenge of menopausal weight gain is the fact that the stress hormone cortisol increases during the change.  If you weren’t anxious before, you might be feeling increased moodiness and anxiety as a result of the physical changes you are noticing in your midsection.

Solutions to Menopause Weight Gain

Try combining cardiovascular exercise and strength training three to five times per week. Finding an exercise partner will help you keep yourself accountable for your exercise plan, plus you get to help someone else too. If you stick to your workout plan, chances are you won’t just keep that middle-age spread at bay, you’ll ease other menopause symptoms like mood swings and anxiety too.

Also, be sure to check into the various menopause treatment solutions available. There are literally dozens to choose from, some which are actually effective and others which are not. While Amberin does a lot of advertising, Kuhl Care(www.kuhlcare.com), a new menopause relief product, has a lot of women reporting significant reduction in a variety of menopause symptoms.

Gaining weight under any circumstance is challenging; but when your body is changing due to menopause, it can be even more difficult to understand and cope with. But eating right and exercising regularly, as well as finding a good product or supplement your hard work, you really can help keep your waistline in check.


Bio: This post was written by Linda Boudet, a proud "menopause veteran"

Thursday 2 August 2012

Lorax guerrilla gardener

 Lorax guerrilla gardener video is what a thought I would share today. A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to get tickets to the movie Lorax. The movie was great and I thought I would share a really cute video today , which I loved.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShtLYUgUbHA&feature=plcp